Q. If eccentricity of hyperbola $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} - \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} = 1\ is\ e\ and\ e'$ is the eccentricity of its conjugate hyperbola, then

A) $e = e^{'}$
B) $ee^{'} = 1$
C) $\frac{1}{e^{2}} + \frac{1}{\left( e^{'} \right)^{2}}$
D) None of these
Explanation

(c)
Given equation of hyperbola is $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} - \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} = 1$ and equation of conjugate hyperbola is $\frac{x^{2}}{b^{2}} - \frac{y^{2}}{a^{2}} = 1.$
Since, $e$ and $e'$ are the eccentricities of the respective hyperbola, then
$e^{2} = 1 + \frac{b^{2}}{a^{2}},\ \left( e^{'} \right)^{2} = 1 + \frac{a^{2}}{b^{2}}$
$\therefore\ \frac{1}{e^{2}} + \frac{1}{e^{'2}} = \frac{a^{2}}{a^{2} + b^{2}} + \frac{b^{2}}{a^{2} + b^{2}}.$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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